Acts 7:8b-15 "God was/gave/also..."

 Last week I looked at Joseph's dream and the brothers' reaction to it. This week we take a large step forward in time to the trial of Stephen before the Sanhedrin, in Acts. He gives a recount of the nation of Israel and as a part of that, he says the following:

Acts 7:8b-15

…Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.

“These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favour before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.

“But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery, and our ancestors ran out of food. Jacob heard that there was still grain in Egypt, so he sent his sons—our ancestors—to buy some. The second time they went, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and they were introduced to Pharaoh. Then Joseph sent for his father, Jacob, and all his relatives to come to Egypt, seventy-five persons in all. So Jacob went to Egypt. He died there, as did our ancestors.

 We know Joseph was given dreams by God, but his brothers didn't want to hear that God's plan was for them to be esteemed lower than Joseph.

What stands out to me in Stephen's testimony is the emphasis he gives to God's role in Joseph's ascension to Vizier (prince) of Egypt. God was with him when he was sold; God gave him favour before Pharoah; God gave him unusual wisdom.

Throughout his time in Potifar's household, his captivity and his rule as Vizier, he is constantly pointing to God in all he does. I'm pretty sure that, as it was quite early on in the history of the Bible, he wouldn't have had scriptures with him. He was sold by surprise to a nation that didn't follow his God.

Despite this, as we'll see next week, he refreshes himself in the Lord all the time. 

Without easy access to scripture, in a nation that didn't recognise the power of God, Joseph was constantly going to God for guidance, wisdom and fortitude. Joseph had to rely on his personal relationship with the Lord of all creation in order to clearly hear His directions. He faced amazing odds and opposition at all turns and yet he stayed faithful to, and focussed on, God.

In our time and for most of us, the Bible is easily obtained and able to be read without fear of trouble. How well do you go to God for guidance? Do you read His word to hear from him and strengthen yourself in His presence?

Life can be so busy and tiring that I find it very easy to forget to include God in all I do. I often forget to check with him about the way I should go when decisions need to be made. Slowly but surely I am changing this.

I made a decision to read through a chronological order version of the NLT version of the Bible. Rather than start at the beginning, I started on September 1st with the reading for that day. Since then I haven't missed a day. I tell you this not to boast but rather to show that gaining understanding isn't a quick thing. I expect to be gaining understanding about God for the rest of my life.

My hope is that, as my knowledge of the Bible increases, my closeness to God and my prayer life will also improve. The only way to achieve this is for me to make the choice to make the effort. As the saying goes, i'd be standing with my mouth open for a long time before a roast chicken flies in.

I hope you too feel the same desire to get to know God and have a deeper relationship with Him.